Where to Eat in St. George's

St. George's, the picturesque capital of Grenada, offers a dining culture deeply rooted in Caribbean Creole traditions with strong African, French, and East Indian influences that manifest in the island's signature use of nutmeg, cinnamon, and locally grown spices. The waterfront Carenage area and Market Square district form the heart of the dining scene, where traditional "oil down" (Grenada's national dish of breadfruit, salted meat, and coconut milk), callaloo soup, and fresh-caught lambi (conch) dominate menus alongside curry-spiced dishes reflecting the island's Indo-Caribbean heritage. The dining atmosphere blends casual beachside rum shops serving grilled fish with more formal establishments in restored colonial buildings, while the Saturday morning market buzzes with vendors selling fresh nutmeg juice, coconut water, and fried bakes that locals eat throughout the day.

Signature Dining Experiences:
• Carenage Waterfront Dining: The horseshoe-shaped harbor hosts the concentration of dining establishments where you'll find fresh seafood including grilled mahi-mahi, blackened tuna steaks, and the local specialty "souse" (pickled pig's feet in lime juice and cucumber). Lunch here typically costs EC$25-45 (US$9-17), while dinner runs EC$50-90 (US$19-33) per person.
• Essential Local Dishes: Beyond oil down, seek out "roti" (curry-filled flatbread wraps, EC$12-18), "pelau" (one-pot rice with pigeon peas and chicken), "crab back" (stuffed land crab shells with breadcrumbs and spices), and "cocoa tea" (a thick hot chocolate drink made from local cocoa balls). Friday nights bring "fish Friday" traditions in Gouyave, 45 minutes north, where the entire village transforms into an outdoor seafood festival.
• Market Square Food Culture: The Saturday market (6am-noon) offers the most authentic dining experience with vendors selling "bakes and saltfish" (fried dough with salted cod, EC$8-12), fresh seamoss drinks (EC$5-8), and "provision" plates featuring dasheen, yam, and green banana with smoked herring (EC$15-20). The adjacent spice market sells fresh nutmeg, mace, and cinnamon sticks that vendors will grind for you on-site.
• Rum Shop Culture: Traditional rum shops throughout St. George's serve as casual dining spots where locals gather for "lime" (socializing) over plates of stewed chicken (EC$18-25), grilled fish with "ground provisions" (root vegetables), and bottles of Carib or Stag beer (EC$5-7). These establishments typically don't have formal names but are known by their location or owner's name.
• Seasonal Specialties: Nutmeg harvest season (June-September) brings fresh nutmeg jam and jellies to market stalls, while the Grenada Chocolate Festival in May showcases cocoa-based dishes. Hurricane season (June-November) means fewer tourists and better prices, though some beachside establishments reduce hours.

Practical Dining Information:
• Reservation an